Snapped! Mozambique Bike Culture

It's not just in Europe and North America that people are going crazy about the possibilities for bikes in the urban environment.  Indeed, I often think that there is the most potential for a cycling renaissance in the developing world, if those countries can build good bike infrastructure at the same time as they expand their road networks.

So today we're off to Maputo in Mozambique to experience a little bit of cycle chic, African style!

Check out Mozambique Bike Culture!

Snapped! Estonia Cycle Chic

I'm giving the cyclists of London a few weeks rest from y o u b i ke l o n d o n partly because I was sick and missed last month's Critical Mass (which is the best opportunity to interview lots of cyclists at once) and partly because I don't have the time and energy right now to chase people down in the street as they are riding to work instead.  (And besides, no one wants their photo taken when they're trying to fight their way through Friday morning traffic at 8.45 in the morning.)

So instead, let's carry on with 'Snapped!', our occasional look at the best of cycling photography blogs from around the world, continuing this week with Cycle Chic Estonia.

I love that there are people looking out for how and why people ride their bikes all over the world, and it does feel like there's a genuine ground swell along these lines at the moment which can only be a good thing.  And besides, a bit of armchair travelling never did anyone any harm did it?  Enjoy and check out the Estonia scene here.

Snapped! Bike By The Sea

Continuing our occassional series of the best in cycling photography blogs from around the world...

All the way from Santa Barbara, California comes Bike By The Sea, a veritable hive of beautiful bicycle photos.  The sky is always blue and the riding style relaxed.  Written by Christa (follow her on Twitter here), the blog is also home to the Cycle Chic global blogger network map, and a very cool little time-lapse video of cyclists on the promenade (Board walk?) in CA, which I've repeated for your viewing pleasure below. Check it out.

Snapped! The Sartorialist

The Sartorialist, Scot Schuman, is famous for his fashion photographs of the streets of Europe and America.  He certainly has an eye for the best street sense, but also has an eye for city cyclists who ride their bikes AND look good - again, these are not set up fashion shots but real people just out there doing their thing who have realised that riding a bike doesn't have to be a hindrance to looking good.  His posts often attract 100 or more comments; this is one serious blog!  Take a look here for some of his earlier bike related photos, or use the search button to look for 'cyclist' or 'bicycle' to see his more recent shots here. 

All images copyright The Sartorialist.

Snapped! EcoVelo

Continuing our occasional series of bringing you the best in bicycle blogs and photography from around the world, we come to EcoVelo, from America.  With the aim to "celebrate the beauty of the bicycle and the joys of everyday bike riding",  Alan and Michael, the blog writers, have a collection of really beautiful bikes and share their experiences of riding and cycle advocacy in an engaging and articulate manner.  But it's their stunning bicycle photographs which really make the grade.  I encourage you to check out their site, and lap it up.  Trust me, you'll feel refreshed and inspired and itching to ride again soon!

Snapped! Copenhagen Cycle Chic

And so we continue with our occasional series of the best in cycling photography blogs around the world...

We all know it's the MacDaddy of street style and cycle chic blogs, but more often than not Mikael Colville-Andersen's photos of life astride a bicycle in Denmark often tell us so much more; just LOOK at these people battling through the coldest winter in years on their bikes.  When you see that, that's when you know you've got true mass cycling.

Check out the original and best 'cycle chic' site here: Copenhagen Cycle Chic

In the interim, have a very happy Easter; ibikelondon is taking a little break over the long weekend, but we'll be back with more cycling news and views on Tuesday 6th April.

Snapped! Amsterdamize

These superb snaps come courtesy of Marc at the always erudite Amsterdamize blog - if you're not familiar with this blogger he's one of what I'd call the 'holy trinity' for cycle style and advocacy (the other two being David Hembrow, also in the Netherlands, and Mikael Colville-Anderson's two blogs, from Denmark)

Pictures like this are really all we need to promote cycling - look how much fun these people are having!  Of course, the reason that they are able to have this much fun is because they haven't been terrified off of the roads by the prevailing conditions: a consequence of a mixture of investment in cycling over a sustained number of years, good quality cycling infrastructure, and laws which protect the most vulnerable road users.  If ever cycle advocates need to find reasons why bicycles are our urban futures, they needn't look too far...